West Metro CERT
Community Emergency Response Team

The cities of New Hope and Crystal and West Metro Fire-Rescue have teamed up to form the West Metro Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and to provide disaster training for New Hope and Crystal residents.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Residents who graduate from the basic CERT course will receive CERT equipment and be advised of ongoing training and exercises as they become available. Bimonthly meetings will provide an opportunity for CERT team members to network and for ongoing training.

For more information about CERT, visit the website www.citizencorps.gov/cert. The West Metro CERT program is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security.